The Provinces of Abertone

[Abertone]

The Empire of Abertone is split by the Straits of Shaw. The Western part of the Empire is considered the "Home" Empire where as the "Eastern" part became part of the Empire in the 16th Century. Despite the Empire having existed for over 500 years in various styles the two parts are still very different. The west is home to the largest part of the economy and has a higher standard of living. The Eastern part of the Empire is heavily utilised for agriculture and mineral extraction. The capital of the Empire is what gave the Empire its name. Founded at some point around 600 B.C the city of Abertone was surrounded by several significant small kingdoms. Over time it became a prosperous trading city and then was able to subdue several other kingdoms to become an Empire based on the city at its centre. The city today has a population of around 2.7million people. It is often referred to as the First Capital. Meanwhile there is a Second Capital called Lafiagi and it is the capital of the Eastern Empire. It was conquered by the Empire in the 1500's. Today it is a major trading port and home to the various offices of the Eastern Empire. It is a popular holiday destination for those in the Western part of the Empire as its economy is significantly lower than the West. At times it has been the site of various attacks by Republican and/or Independence organisations.

For each of the provinces there is a noble who holds lands on behalf of the Empire.
Each Province has a capital which tends to be, but is not always the largest settlement within that region.
Some of the Provinces have nobles with other titles connected to them, most noted are the Archbishoprics.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF ABERTONE


Skyline of the City of Abertone

Noble:- Duke Peter Lupa (born 2020)
Other Significant Nobles:- Archbishop of Abertone - currently held by  Pancrazio Ricci.

The city can trace its roots back to around 600 B.C however much of the cities buildings are from more modern times thanks to a series of Earthquakes and fires. The last major fire came in 1720 which destroyed much of the older parts of the city. The city is though home to the Royal Palace, the Imperial Senate and the Palace of the Consul.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF FAIDELLO


Skyline of the City of Faidello

Noble:- Duke of Faidello - Emperor Marco
Provincial Capital - Cles
Other Significant Nobles - Archbishop of Faidello - Ambrosio Donadoni

Faidello was one of the first additions to the Empire after Abertone soldiers sailed down the river Faid to raid the city. After discovering how weakly it was defended the Abertonians simply stayed and since then the province has been part of the Empire. It has a reputation for being home to a lot of the Western Empire's leading scholars throughout its history.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF MANZI


Skyline of the town of Tassullo

Noble:- Duke Graziano Lupo
Provincial Capital:- Tassullo
Other Significant Nobles:- Archbishop of Tassullo - Moreno Di Stefano

The province of Manzi is relatively small and sits in the mountains to the west of Abertone. It is believed to be the place where the first Christian missionaries found success among those who dwelled in the hills at some point in the early 8th Century. The Archbishop of Tassullo overseas the Cathedral of the Conversion which is said to actually straddle the stream where the first Christian converts were baptised by St.Emidio of Tassullo. Stories tell of how St.Emidio visited the various villages that dominated the region both preaching and helping care for the needy. In 778AD the region was struck by an earthquake and a young boy who was caching cheese in a cave used for that purpose was trapped. He was believed to have died but Emidio refused to give up hope and prayed for his safe return. After eight days of digging Emidio found the boy who was still alive. In the immediate after-math many converted to Christianity believing Emidio when he said that his God had protected the boy. The region even has a series of caves still used for storing cheese to age.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF VALLE DEL VINO


Skyline of the town of Taio

Noble:- Duke Eligio Amantea
Provincial Capital:- Taio

Valle Del Vino is literally translated as the Valley of Wine and the name is well deserved as it is home to around 50% of the Empire's total wine production. The province is largely rural and its capital is home to less than 100,000 individuals. Until 1890 it had a monopoly that all holy wine used in Abertone had to be produced in the province. There is an annual festival in early autumn every year when the first "New Wine" is made. Traditionally the Duke of the region would be the first to begin harvesting the grapes for the production of that years wine. The day he picked the first there would be a celebration exactly a week later. This has since turned into a large wine festival.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF MONTAGNA


Skyline of the town of Mallaro

Noble:- Duke Agostino Acquati
Provincial Capital:- Mallaro

Montagna is a region made up of a number of deep and steep valley's such as the one the town  Mallaro sits in. The region is though well known for its cattle industry.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF SPARMAGGIORE


Skyline of thecity of Sparmaggiore

Noble:- Duke Dante Albrici
Provincial Capital:- Sparmaggiore
Other Significant Nobles:- Archbishop of Sparmaggiore - Frederico Albrici


Sparmaggiore is thought to have evolved from the literal translation "Magnificent City". It was constructed by a Duke trying to match the magnificence of Abertone and so as a result tore down large parts of what already existed and literally began again. He had the idea of a large wheeled city but naturall features made that slightly more difficult. A large part of the original city still remains. 

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF CASTEL BELFORT


Skyline of the city of Cavedago

Noble:- Duke Lazzaro Nicolosi   
Provincial Capital:- Cavedago
Other Significant Nobles:- Stefano Nicolosi - Count of Bian -- This title was traditionally given to the eldest child of the Duke of Castel Belfort. Bian was the name given to the peak upon which the Fort the province takes its name from. In 1999 however the title was vacated when the family that owned the title died out. The then Emperor split the titles.

The Province takes its name from the Castle of Bian which was called by the then Emperor of Abertone as the most beautiful castle in the Empire. As a result the province had its name changed. It is a relatively small province but thanks to many nobles purchasing land there it had one of the highest GDP's

 

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF DALDOSS


Skyline of the city of Andalo

Current Noble:- Duke Adalberto Agricola
Provincial City:- Andalo

Other Significant Nobles:- Count Agricola - Adriano Agricola -- The Agricola family did a great deal to help the Empire expand into Albion. As such the then Emperor determined that even if the family lost the provincial title the eldest son of the Agricola's would hold a noble title. This has now traditionally been held by the heir to the Duke of Daldoss title.

Archbishop of Daldoss - Mariano Agricola

The Province is named after Daldoss Agricola who is considered by many to be the mastermind behind the expansion of the Empire into Albion. The Agricola family have held a large influence over the region ever since and have managed to monopolise both the titles of nobility and those of religion for around the last 100 years. The coast line around the province are heavily involved in trade and count amongst some of the largest in the Empire.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF MOLVENO


The Veterans Quarter in the city of Moline

Current Noble:- Duke Ivan Guinta   
Provincial City:- Moline
Other Significant Nobles:- The province also holds the title "Governor of the Veterans Hospital" which symbolically was a title given to a noble appointed by the Emperor to ensure that veterans were looked after. Today this title is distributed by the Duke typically for a period of five years to an individual considered to have served the military with great honour.

The Province of Molveno has a rather unremarkable history until the early 1800's. Following a series of local conflicts the Emperor found himself with a large number of injured veterans and with Moline being sparsely populated compared to other parts of the Empire he ordered the city of Moline to be used as a convalescence area. Many of the veterans found themselves with nowhere to go once healed and so the Emperor ordered a new part of the city to be built. These homes still stand today and have become a kind of heritage site. The rather unique dwellings were circular with drystone roofs. The Veterans Quarter has become a tourist attraction with many of the old veterans homes now turned into small artisans businesses or upmarket holiday rentals.

A typical house in the Veterans Quarter of Moline

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF DORSINO


The town of San Lorenzo

Current Noble:- Baldovino Galli
Provincial City:- San Lorenzo
Other Titles:-

Archbishop of Dorsino - Paolo Zenga

Bishop of the Spear - Ricardo Cassio -- The title of Bishop of the Spear is one that requires the individual to oversee the site of pilgrimage within the Province. They are usually a young priest, in terms of being appointed a Bishop, as historically speaking they would have been required to lead military orders to protect the relic at the site. Traditionally Bishops of the Spear have gone on to hold very high office within the Church.

Had you visited Dorsino in the 1700's the site of San Lorenzo was a simple village. The fact that entrapeneur Sylvan Ocado acquired a large amount of land and built textile mills here utilising new inventions he wanted to keep secret. The settlement grew as Ocado built new housing and lesuire facilities for his workers. While this may sound altruistic it was infact done to deter his staff from wanting to leave the town therefore ensuring his methods remained secret. The settlement became a city based heavily around industry.

The province is also home to a site of pilgrimage known as the Basillica of Longinus

It is said that one of the early converts of Abertone journeyed to the Holy Land on pilgrimage as a defender of the other pilgrims. At this time the sacred sites there were under threat and so the soldier, knowing of the danger, remained to protect them. One evening an voice told him to move some stones in the Church he was staying at. Doing as instructed he found a long spear within the walls. He was told by the voice that this had been the spear of Longinus and had been used to dispatch Jesus while he was on the cross. The soldier took the spear and in order to keep it safe returned with it to Abertone. It was placed in a Church close to his home in the village of Conglomo and from there a religious community grew around it. Today the spear is kept on display within the Church of a monastery known as the Basillica of Longinus. While this story has existed for hundreds of years there is no proof beyond the story of its authenticity.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF ANDOGO


The town of Tavodo

Current Noble:- Duke Isacco Di Antonio
Provincial Capital:- Tavodo

The province neighbours Daldoss and was considered rather insignificant until the time of the Crusades. There the ports of Daldoss were becoming overcrowded and so the Emperor tasked the Count of Tavodo, which at the time was a holding of the Province of Daldoss, to create a holding area of sorts for Crusaders. The result was that the area became home to a significant number of small towns each with their own parade squares and large areas of woodland were cleared to form camps. Following the Crusades the settlements found the camp clearnings perfect for large scale agriculture and the region began to flourish as a kind of bread basket for the Empire. It became so prosperous that when the Daldoss nobles found themselves short of money they sold the region to the Emperor who created a new Province.

The region is also home to the Monastry of Basilissa. The early saint is highly venerated in Abertone for giving honorable burial to other early saints at a time of Christian persecution. She was arrested for doing this and even though tortured refused to deny her faith. She herself was martyred at some time in the 1st Century AD. As such the Order of Basilissa was established in Abertone during the early days of the faith within the nation. It is still an active monastery today and site of pilgrimage for many in the nation. The monastry is also famed for its herb garden and honey.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF VILLA BANALE


The town of Ponte Arche

Current Noble:- Duke Amedco Nando
Provincial Capital:- Ponte Arche
Others Significant Nobles:-

Archbishop of Villa Banale - Rodrigo Di Nesta
Count of the Arches - Benito Colleoni - In the 10th Century rebels massed to attack the Emperor. It was the Colleoni family that halted this rebellion by taking its own sworn men to the bridge at Ponte Arche and held it against superior numbers for three days. On the final day of the defence the youngest son of the Colleoni family, Rodrigo, found himself at the age of 16 leading the defence. The rebels, knowing the Imperial Army would arrive soon, sent three of their leaders to negotiate with Rodrigo who denied their requests for surrender. Local folk tales say that after being offered very favourable terms to surrender the young noble looked each of the three in the face and said the word "Balls" to them. The defenders held out through the day and that evening the Imperial Army arrived ending the rebellion the next morning. Rodrigo survived however had lost an eye and an arm in the defence. The Emperor named him a Count and the title has remained in the family since. With the families name Colleoni having a close resemblence to the word "coleus", which is Latin for testicles....or balls the cheeky Benito adopted a coat of arms showing three pairs of testicles. The family held both the title of Duke of the region and Count for many years. The title of Duke has since moved into a cousins family however the rules associated with the title Count of the Arches means it must past down a male line only and so the Colleoni family retain that title.



The town of Ponte Arche still retains the old bridge with a large memorial to the battle nearby. The city itself has maintained a very simple style which was largely driven by Benito Colleoni's desire to make the city a kind of large scale monastic city. Archetecturally this is stiill true however the city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, local artisans, and annual festivals that celebrate both its rich history and the values of simplicity and community. The city's unique charm and welcoming atmosphere attract visitors who appreciate its genuine character and historical depth.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF CAMPO


The town of Dasindo

Current noble:- Duke Dino Abramo

The Province of Campo was added to the Empire reasonably late. It was formerly a Kingdom in its own right but a very small one. Once it was conquered the Emperor of Abertone needed a settlement there that he could use as a port to help fortify the region and also had an issue that he had to give land to many of his soldiers who had joined his campaign. Wanting to create a city that would be totally loyal to him he gave each of the soldiers a gift of land on condition that they build a settlement and live there, rent free, on condition that they and their descendants render military service when needed. As such the people there saw it as important to keep this agreement and even today the city has an abnormally high rate of military recruitment. The fact the city was full of experienced veterans and well trained descendants the city was left alone by rebels and invaders. The city quickly became known as one that produced an abundance of fresh produce and was  where the arts, education, and trade flourished. The city’s residents took pride in their heritage, believing that they were living in a place blessed by fortune and the foresight of the Emperor.

Dasindo is a thriving city known for its rich cultural heritage and prosperous economy. It is famous for its annual Festival of Gifts, where artisans, merchants, and performers from across the region come to showcase their talents and share their wares. The festival celebrates the city's founding principles and draws visitors from far and wide. This takes place after harvest time every year.

The city boasts several prestigious institutions of education, among them the nations oldest surviving University. The St. Thomas Aquinas Academy was established in the 1300's. 

The Assembly Hall at the St.Thomas Aquinas Academy

   

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF STUMIAGA


The town of Torbiera

Current Noble:- Duke Giulio Goretti   
Provincial Capital- Torbiera

Other Significant Nobles:- Lord Commander of Engineers -- Sebastien Goretti - The town holds its origins to an amazing feat of engineering that impressed the Emperor so much he made Ricardo Goretti Lord Commander of Engineers. This title became more of an honorary one and has passed down the Goretti family with the heir to the Ducal title serving in the role.

The town on Torbiera was founded in the 1400's. The then Duke of Stumiaga was tasked with protecting the small port of Ulbam from flooding and disease caused by the marshes it was surrounded by. Following an incredible feat of engineering Duke Ricardo Goretti created a large system of dykes, pumped out the sea-water and then creating small canals and pumps removed the marshes. This also helped create a rather fertile area that allowed the region to become successful as a fishing port and an argicultural hub. Some of the marshes remain about 20km to the south of the town and this is now a beautiful nature reserves attracting both tourists and environmentalists.

he Festival of the Marsh is a key annual event, celebrating the city’s origins. It takes place every year in September and see's a ceremonial procession along the dykes carrying out an "inspection." The Duke and Lord Commander both add soil, sand and stones to the dykes at symbolic points to mark the upkeep. Large street parties also take place.

[Abertone]

THE PROVINCE OF LA PINETA


The town of Ballino

Current Noble:- Duke Isaia Guerra
Provincial Capital:- Ballino
Other Significant Nobles:-

Archbishop of La Pineta - Mark Oswaldo

The area of La Pineta was considered a wasteland during the early days of the Empire. It had been heavily damaged by a series of natural disasters and very few settlements existed. It was originally part of a Kingdom that later became part of the Empire. In the 800's the King was visited by a missionary called Giovanni della Pigna. The King was not convinced about the power of the Christian God and so said if Giovanni and his God could restore the area to life then he would convert. Giovanni left and two years later returned. He asked the King to come with him and see what had happened. There Giovanni had established a chapel in a cave and around it was a significant forest of pine trees. The King was impressed and immediately allowed Giovanni to baptise him and his nobles. Soon on a ridge above the cave a new settlement was established and Giovanni became the first Archbishop for the area. While this folk story persists many believe that it was simply the case of a forest fire had destroyed the area and then in the aftermath, which likely was longer than two years, there was new growth which myths have exaggerated.

Over the years the people of La Pineta came to view the pine forest as sacred, a gift from nature and Giovanni’s legacy. The trees were not only a source of wood and resin but also symbols of resilience, growth, and spiritual protection. They built a Holy Grove at the heart of the forest, where legend says Giovanni planted the first pine tree. This has become a revered site, attracting pilgrims and visitors seeking peace and inspiration.

Every year, the people of La Pineta celebrate the Festival of the Pines, a week-long event that honors the founding of the region. The festival includes the planting of new trees, processions through the forest, and a grand feast in the Holy Grove. It is a time of community bonding, celebrating the land’s fertility, and honoring Giovanni della Pigna’s legacy.

The Pineta Market, held monthly in Ballino, is a bustling event where locals and visitors can buy handcrafted items, organic produce, and pine-scented products.